Collating machine



May 10, 1960 L. MESTRE COLLATING MACHINE Filed May 31, 1957 6Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR LUIS MESTRE Mkwm ATTORNEYS.

May 10, 1960 L. MESTRE COLLATING MACHINE 2 E t E TS% NE 2% TM% s s T 9Li, h S 6 7 5 9 l L 3 V. a M d e 1 1- F May 10, 1960 L. MESTRE COLLATINGMACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 31, 1957 m9 m9 5N DON INVEN TOR LUISMESTRE Y mjwdmvwm ATTORNEYS.

May 10, 1960 L. MESTRE COLLATING MACHINE NB wk LUIS MESTRE BY 6 6Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

Filed May 31, 1957 y 10, 1966 a... MESTRE COLLATING MACHINE 5 M m h T EM Tm m v F L MO MW M A & 4/, Y 6 B mmw Filed May 31. 1957 L. M ESTRECOLLATING MACHINE May 10, 1960 6 sheets -sheet 6 Filed May 31, 1957 a 1mm INVENTOR LUIS MESTRE ATTORNEYS.

2,936,168 COLLATING MACHINE Luis Mestre, New York, N .Y. Application May31, 1957, Serial No. 662,713 39 Claims. (Cl. 270-58) The inventionrelates to a collating machine which withdraws a sheet from each of aseries of storage pockets and assembles them together in sequence sothat they may be stapled together. Collating machines usually occupyconsiderable floor space and the collating machine described hereinpreferably uses a drum with generally radial storage pockets. Eachpocket contains a plurality of sheets of the same page and a pluralityof sheets of a different page or sheet of a booklet or book to becollated is carried in the other pockets. A sheet is withdrawn from eachpocket and carried to an assembling or depositing platform. Here thesheets for one booklet are deposited together in the same relation sothat if the booklet for example comprises eight pages, this number ofpages is withdrawn from the drum and deposited in one relative orangular position. The next eight pages are then deposited in anotherrelative or angular position with respect to the first so that each setof booklet sheets of eight pages are easily separated from each other.

In a collating machine it is desirable that the machine haveconsiderable flexibility so that the machine may be set up for a book orbooklet of few or many sheets up to the capacity or" the storage meansor drum. Or the machine may be loaded with sheets to be assembled intodifferent books or booklets for example, one book may comprise eightpages, a second book six pages, a third book four pages and so forth andthe machine sorts the pages into the proper set and in proper sequence.Again a booklet may have eight pages the same and another booklet mayhave the same eight pages and one, two, or more additional sheets. Themachine also will collate automatically such different books.

It is an object of the invention to construct a collating machine havinga new and novel storage drum.

Another object is to construct a collating machine which can be set upwith many variations in its operation.

A still further object is to provide a collating drum with holding meansfor holding a package of sheets in each pocket of the rotating drumwhich holding means releases the sheets at the position at which thesheets are withdrawn from the pockets.

Another object is to construct a collating machine utilizing efiicientand effective clamps for withdrawing a sheet from a pocket of thestorage means, gripping or clamping a sheet, transporting each sheet toa delivery platform or position, and releasing the sheet thereon.

A still further object is to provide a collating machine with a new andelfective mechanism for assembling a series of sheets on the depositingplatform in groups of one or more sheets alternately at two differentpositions so that they may be readily separated.

Another object is to construct a collating machine with a depositplatform having mechanism to move the platform and pile of sheetsdownwardly under the control of the pile.

Another object is to provide a collating machine having clamping meanswhich are pivoted from a rearwardly extending position to a forwardlyextending position.

A still further object is to have a clamping means which can beselectively closed so that it will not pick up a sheet.

Other objects will be more apparent from the following description whentaken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating apreferred embodiment of the invention in which- Patented May 10, 1960Fig. 1 is a side view in reduced size of the entire collating machine;

Fig. 2 is approximately a full-sized view of a series of clamping meanscarried on an endless band or chain means which clamping means removesone sheet from a pocket of the storage means and clamps or grips thesame for transport to and release on a depositing platform;

Fig. 2A is a partial view of the clamping finger tripper;

Fig. 3 is a partial side view of the cam mechanism between the sheetdepositing position or end of the machine and pick-up position forreversing or swinging the clamping means to forward position and meansfor releasing the clamping means lock;

Fig. 3A is a view of the means for selectively closing the clampingmeans;

Fig. 3B is a partial view showing location of cams;

Fig. 4 is atop view of a sheet clamping means mounted on an endlesscarrier or chain;

Fig. 5 is a detailed side View of one of the clamp arms with a clampingfinger in clamping position and the clamping finger locking means;

Fig. 6 is a side view of a clamping means taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 4with a clamping finger in open position and the clamping fingeroperating means;

Fig. 7 is a side view of a clamping arm of the clamping means taken online 7-7 of Fig. 4 showing the clamp pivoting means;

Fig. 8 shows a roller taken on line 8--8 of Fig. 4 for controlling theclosing of the clamping fingers;

Fig. 9 is a bottom view of the shifting means by which the clampingmeans are shifted to its three positions and the lock for locking theclamping means in each position;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged end elevation of the machine with some of theclamping mechanisms removed showing the clamping means adjacent todepositing position and shows the cam means for restoring the clampingmeans to central position and the operating means for the clamp framelocking means and other structure;

Fig. 11 is a view of a clamping means as taken on line 1111 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 12 is a detailed View of the shifting means for shifting theclamping means to its two angular positions;

Fig. 12A is a partial view of the shifting means;

Fig. 13 shows the means for operating a vane by means of which theclamping means is shifted to one side or the other side of centralposition;

Fig. 14 is a View of the clamp closing cam after deposit of sheet takenfrom line 14-14 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 15 shows the drum pocket bottom rest; and

Fig. 16 shows the control means for short rotation of the storage drum.

The collating machine in its general aspects provides a main frame 20 ofmany parts for supporting all of the mechanism. The machine includes astorage means shown particularly as a rotating circular drum 21 having aseries of radial pockets therein open at the periphery for holding thevarious sheets which are to be assembled as a book or booklet. Eachpocket is adapted to carry a quantity of sheets of one kind or sheetnumber. With the circular storage means illustrated the drum rotatescontinuously. The machine also includes a plurality of clampingmechanisms having clamping means which removes one sheet from eachsuccessive or any desired pocket and delivers it to an assembling ordepositing platform of any suitable type. Each clamping mechanism is incontinuous motion in withdrawing a sheetfrom a pocket, clamping thesheet for transport to the depositing platform and return to pick-upposition at the storage means. The machine particularly shows adepositing platform which is fed downwardly as the sheets or pages aredeposited thereon. Finally the machine includes electrical control meansfor controlling the desired operation of the machine.

Storage means The storage means which is adapted to hold the sheets tobe collated includes a series of pockets which move successively topick-up position. The storage means preferably is a circular drum 21mounted on a shaft 22. The drum is rotated by a motor 23 connected witha reduction gear unit 24- and a suitable connection is made from thereduction gear to the shaft of the drum to rotate it at a uniform speed.The driving means shown includes a chain 24', shaft 25. Suitable gearssuch as a worm and Worm gear may connect shaft 25 with the drum shaft22.

The drum carries generally radial pockets formed by partitions 29extending in a general radial direction. Preferably the partitionsproject not towards the center of the drum but project tangent to thetop of a circle having the center of the drum as the center so that inthe upper right hand quadrant of the drum, where the sheet pickupposition is located, the partitions and sheets are in an inclined orangular position. In the form of drum illustrated the partitions andsheets are in a more generally level position than if the partitionswere radial although this is not essential. The drum has spaced sideplates 30 to which the partitions are secured in any desired manner andat least one side plate carries a slot 31 for each pocket.

A pocket bottom rest, Fig. 15, is mounted in the slots 31 so that thedepth of the pockets may be adjusted as desired for the length of thesheets S to be stored therein. Since the pockets taper or the partitions29 are at an angle with respect to each other, an adjustable bottomsupport is provided. This bottom support or rest in cludes a bottom bar34 having a nut 35 by which the bar may be adjusted in the slot of thedrum side wall and the pocket. A bottom plate 36 is pivotally mounted onthe bottom bar by a pivot 37 and a spring 38 turns the plate to bringits outer edges into contact with the partitions irrespective of theirspacing.

Means are provided to hold or clamp the package of sheets in each pocketthrough substantially three fourths of the revolution of the drum and torelease the same at pick-up position of the pockets where a sheet iswithdrawn from the pockets. This pocket clamping means (Fig. 1)comprises a pair of pocket clamping plates 41 and 42 each mounted uponspaced pivotal shaft 43 mounted in the side plates of the drum. Oneplate 41 extends angularly outwardly towards the periphery of the drumand the other plate 42 extends angularly inwardly. A lever 44 isattached to each pivotal shaft and springs 45 connected between thelevers for each pair of clamping plates propel the plates with theirends into clamping contact with the package of sheets in its pocketagainst a partition. Each lever carries a cam roller 46 or follower forengagement with an opening cam 47 which comprises a radial band having apointed lower end 48 andproviding camming surfaces or edges. One rollerengages the inner camming surface to swing the inner clamping plates toopen or unclamped position and the roller for the other clamping plateengages the upper or outer surface of the radial cam and propels itsclamping plates 41 to open position thereby releasing both clampingplates from contact with the package of sheets in its pocket. Thesepocket clamps are held in unclamped position for approximately 90 of therevolution of the drum by the radial cam through the pick-up position.The radial cam is mounted on the main frame 20. When the rollers rideoff of the end of the radial cam at the top of the machine, the springs45 pull the cam plates to sheet clamping position.

Transporting mechanism A plurality of spaced clamping mechanisms areprovrded, each of whichvpicks up. the'top sheet in its respec tivepocket of the storage means or drum and transports the sheet to adepositing position or platform. Each clamping mechanism includes aclamping means or gripper mounted on an endless means such as a chain orband which clamping means grips the sheet and carries it to a depositingplatform or station. The endless means shown comprises a pair of spacedchains 52 (Fig. 10) each of which is carried on a series of spacedsprockets or wheels 53, 54, 55, three being particularly shown for eachchain mounted on shafts 56, 57, 58 respectively. The shafts arerotatably mounted in the main frame. Two pairs of sprocket wheels 53, 54are provided adjacent the periphery of the storage means or drum and arespaced with respect to the periphery of the drum so that the clampingmeans contacts the top sheet in a pocket and gradually moves away fromthe periphery of the drum and in so moving slides the top sheettherewith until it is far enough away from the clamping means to gripthe sheet whereupon it is transported to the depositing platform. Thespan of each chain between the sprocket wheelsmay be supported by spacedchain guides 62 carried by the main frame and between which the chaintravels.

Clamping mechanism Each chain carries a plurality of spaced brackets 59secured thereto and projecting in an outward direction. A hearing isprovided in each bracket and receives a clamping mechanism including amounting bar 60 having a pivot pin 61 secured to or integral with theends of a mounting bar so that the bar is pivotally mounted in a pair ofspaced brackets, one carried by each of the chains. A clamping means ismounted on each bar and hence is pivotally mounted in the brackets.There is one clamping mechanism for each pocket in the storage means ordrum.

Each clamping mechanism includes a clamping means carried on themounting means or bar and each bar carries means for movably mountingthe clamping means thereon so that it can be shifted to and from atleast two lateral positions and preferably to and from three positionsnamely a center position and a position on each side of center position.This mounting means includes preferably a pair of angularly disposed andspaced slots 65 and 66 (Figs. 49) shown particularly in the mountingbar. A clamping means frame 67 shown as of U-shaped construction ismounted for lateral movement on the bar. Pins or screws 68 secured tothe clamping means frame extend through the slots so that when the frameand clamping means have been shifted so that the pins are at the leftend of their respective slot, the clamping means is tilted laterally andat one angle as viewed in Fig. 4, and when the frame and clamping meansis shifted so that the pins are at the right hand end of the slot, theclamping means is positioned laterally and at an opposite angle. Theangular shifting of the clamping means is desirable but not essential.In center position, each clamping means is straight or parallel withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the machine or the endless chains.The pins or screws in the slots also retain the clamping means frame onthe mounting bar. A spring pressed pin 69 may be carried by the mountingbar to engage the clamping means frame.

The clamping means frame carries spaced extensions 7?. in which the endsof a shaft 73 are pivotally mounted. A pair of spaced clamping arms 74are secured to the shaft so that the arms pivot with respect to theclamping means frame. The end of each arm carries a clamping pad 75which may be of rubber or similar material for engagement with a sheet.A spring 76 having one end secured to the arm and the other end securedto the clamping means frame by a pin 77 normally pivots the clampingarms towards and in contact with the clamping meansv frame. Av clampingfinger 78 is pivotally mounted on each arm on a pivot '79 and may have aclamping:

amazes pad 80 on its end. A spring 81 connected between the arm by pin82 and the finger propels the finger to clamping position with its endin contact with the clamping pad on the arm.

Means are provided to pivot the clamping finger to and from clampingposition in contact .with the clamping pad (Figs. 49). A link 86 isprovided for each finger connected at one end to its clamping finger 78by means of a pin 87 and the other end is attached by a pin 88 to alever 89. These levers are secured to a sleeve 90 which is pivotally androckably mounted on the shaft 73. Pivoting of the levers relatively tothe clamping arms will pull the links and pivot the clamping fingers toopen position as shown in Fig. 6 and when released, the springs 86 pulleach finger to closed position as shown in Fig. 7. Secured to the sleeveis an arm 91 carrying a cam follower or roller 92 which pivots thesleeve on the shaft and the levers and through the links pivot theclamping fingers to open position.

Means are provided to lock the clamping fingers 78 in open position andthe means particularly shown includes a finger locking lever 94pivotally carried on a pivot 95 mounted on one of the clamping meansarms. The locking lever has a locking projection 06. A spring 97connected between the locking lever and the clamping arm normallyretains the clamping lever in locked or finger open position as shown indot-dash lines in Fig. 5. The locking lever carries a release trigger 98by means of which the finger lock may be released which is shown as anextension secured to or forming a part of the lock lever. An operatingpin 99 (Fig. 2) carried by bracket 100 secured to the main frame engagesthis release trigger or extension when a clamping means passes at pickupposition when a sheet has been withdrawn far enough from a storagepocket to be clamped, to trip the locking lever and move it to releaseposition. The locking shoulder or projection 96 is engaged by a lockingpin 101 carried by the finger operating lever 89 and holds this lever infinger open position. When the locking lever 99 is shifted to the solidline position, Fig. 5, the locking pin is released whereupon the fingeris moved to finger closed or clamping position under the influence ofits spring 81.

Means are carried by the clamping means mounting bar or means 60 forlocking the clamping means and its frame 67 in each of its positions. Asshown in Figs. 9, and 11, the mounting means or bar 60 carries a pair offlanges 104- having a pivot 105 on which a locking lever 1% is mounted.One end of this lever carries a cam follower or roller 107. The otherend of the lever carries a locking pin 103 which engages in any one ofthree locking holes 109, 111i 111 carried by the clamping means frame.In Fig. 9 the clamping means is locked in central position. When theclamping means is shifted to the right, the locking pin engages in thehole 111. When the clamping means has been shifted to the left thelocking pin engages in the locking hole 110. A spring 112 propels thelocking lever to locked position.

Cam means are provided to release the locking means for the clampingmeans frame at the position in which the clamping means is shifted tothe left or right in its position and also when the clamping means isshifted or restored to central position. In the former case just beforethe clamping means is shifted to one of its side or angular positions,the roller 107 is engaged by a cam 115 (Fig. 3) carried by the mainframe 10 during the upper pass between sprockets 54 and 55, which liftsthe locking pin out of the central locking hole 109. The clamping isthen shifted after which the roller rides off of the cam and the lockingpin enters one of the locking holes 110 or 111 depending upon thedirection in which the clamping means is shifted. After the sheet hasbeen deposited on the depositing platform, the frame is shifted orrestored to central position, as will be described. Before the clampingmeans is restored to central position the cam roller or follower 107engages a cam 116 (Figs. 3, 10) in the lower pass which releases thelocking pin from the locking hole. When the clamping means frame hasbeen restored to central position the roller rides off of the cam andenters the central hole 109 to again lock the clamping means frame incentral position.

The means or mechanism for restoring the clamping means to centralposition, Fig. 10, includes a pair of spaced cam plates 119, 120,secured to the main frame so as to engage a clamping means shiftfollower or roll 121 carried by the clamping means frame after the sheethas been deposited on the deposit platform. This roll may be carried onthe screw 68. The cam plates have angular sides spreading outwardlyfacing towards depositing position or rearwardly. The cam plates arecarried by the main frame to engage the shift cam follower on the lowerpass of the chains or clamping means. The

shift roll or follower engages either the cam plate 119 or 120 dependingupon to which side the clamping means has been shifted and shifts theclamping means to central position. The cam plates are spaced apart adistance corresponding with the diameter of the follower or roll so thatthe clamping means frame is held in central position until the follower107 for the locking lever 106 for the clamping means frame rides off ofits cam 116 and locking the clamping means frame in central position.Just before the clamping frame is shifted, the clamping means passes acam 122 which engages the finger opening roller 92 and the fingers aremoved to open position and locked open by the lever.

The clamping means arms 74 are secured to the shaft 73 carried in thebearings of the extensions 72 of the clamping means frame and the spring76 connected with one arm and with the clamping means frame propels thearms generally toward the clamping means frame so that the arms ifunrestrained pivot into contact with this frame. During the travel ofeach clamping means on the upper level of the chain the clamping meansarms are tilted and held at an upwardly inclined angle by tilt means sothat each clamping sheet being transported rests on the succeeding sheet01' sheets. This prevents any untoward bending and buckling of thesheets as they lie in overlying relation and move towards the depositingplatform. The tilt means extends also to the lower pass.

The tilt means (Fig. 7) for pivoting the arms or clamping means andholding them in this inclined position includes a tilt lever 128'havinga roller or follower 129 at its end. The lever is pivotally mounted onthe sleeve 90 surrounding the clamping means shaft 73 between two spacedcollars 130, 13 1, carried on the sleeve. This lever has a tilt arm 132with a slot 133' on the end of the arm in which slot is. received a pin134 carried by one of the clamping arms to form an operating connectiontherewith. Pivoting of the lever and its cam follower pivots the twoclamping arms, since both clamping arms are secured to the clampingmeans shaft. After the clamping means has passed around the uppersprocket 54 there is a tilt track 135 which is engaged by the trackfollower and pivots the clamping arms to the tilt position shown in Fig.2. This tilt track is between the chains and follows in a general way oris parallel with the chains. The tilt track extends the full length ofthe upper level of the clamping means, continues around the sprocket andextends approximately half way along the lower level to approximately agap in a cam track, which will be described. Throughout this travel,therefore, the clamping aims are held tilted away from the clampingmeans frame. The clamping means. is held secure during the opening ofthe clamping fingers by the tilt roller being between the tilt track andthe clamping means. After the tilt roller rides off of the tilt trackthe spring 76 pulls the clamping arms into contact with the clampingmeans frame. The clamping arms remain in this position until they havepassed around the sprockets 53..

Pivoting mechanism for clamping mechanism It has been describedhereinbefore that the mounting bar for the clamping means is pivotallymounted between brackets 59' carried by the endless chains. Mechanism isprovided to control the pivotal position of the clamping mechanismincluding the mounting bar and hence the pivotal position of theclamping means. This pivoting mechanism is in addition to the tiltmeans. The mechanism for controlling the pivotal movement of themounting bar and clamping means includes a cam fellower plate 138secured to one of the mounting bar pivot pins 61. This plate carries ashort cam follower 139 and a long cam follower 14 d spaced from eachother and spaced from the pivot pins 61. The cam follower 139 operatesin a cam 141 and cam follower one cam track 142 which control thepivotal position of the mounting bar. The short follower also engages ina cam track 143.

After a sheet has been deposited on a depositing platform, the clampingarms extend in a rearward direction or in the direction of thedepositing platform. The clamp ing means or arms are then swungforwardly so that they will be brought into position to engage the topsheet in a pocket of the drum. This pivoting of the clamping mechanismand its clamping means is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The long cam roller14% is within the cam track 142 formed by spaced side walls. This camtrack has a short cap 144 in one side wall and the wall begins againwith an upwardly extending abutment 145. The second cam track 14 havinga pair of spaced side walls receives a short cam roller 139 just beforeroller 1% reaches the gap. The track 141 extends downwardly to swing theclamping means to approximately a vertical position, assisted partly bythe roller 144) engaging the abutment. The cam track 141 thereforebridges the gap to control the position and pivoting of the clampingmechanism in this interval. The abutment with the descending cam track141 swings the mounting bar through a substantial angle whereupon thetrack 141 terminates and the long roller enters the continuation of itscam track. The cam track 1427 then has an angularly downwardly extendingportion 14211 which extends outside of the line of travel of themounting bar pivots 61 and continues to swing the mounting bar as shownin Fig. 2 so that the clamping means now is projected forwardly in asubstantially horizontal position or towards the storage means or drum.

As the mounting bar 6% and the clamping means pass around the sprocket53, the cam track 1421; curves inwardly towards the shaft 56 of thesprocket so that the clamping means retains an approximately horizontalposition as the ends or clamping means of the clamping arms areprojected over a package of sheets S in a pocket of the drum. The curveof the cam track also turns the mounting bar 65 and hence the clampingmeans to bring the clamping pads on the ends of the clamping arms 74into contact with the top sheet of the package of sheets S in thepocket. This moves the clamping arms away from contact with the clampingmeans frame 67 so that the spring 76 presses the pads against the topsheet. At the pads move away from the pocket by the divergent paths ofthe clamping means and the pocket, the top sheet is drawn outwardly andthe clamping finger locking lever 94 is released whereupon the fingercloses and clamps the sheet between the arm pads and the fingers. Thefinger locking lever is released when the trigger 95; passes by and isengaged by the operating pin 99.

The endless chain assumes a straight or approximately a straight pathbetween the two sprockets 53, 54, between which the cam track 142 inportion 142a is straight and retains the clamping mechanism in somewhatdownwardly inclined position. The spring '75 restores the clamping meansinto contact with the clamping means frame. The cam track 142a ends atthe sprocket 54 at the same moment or shortly therebefore the shortroller 139 enters the arcuate cam track 143 which retains the clampingmeans in substantially horizontal position for a portion of its travel.This cam track curves inwardly towards the shaft of the sprocket so thatas the mounting bar 60 passes around the sprocket 54, the clamping meansis tilted angularly upwardly and the cam track terminates. Just beforethe cam track 143 terminates, the long roller has entered the mouth ofthe cam track 142 and retains the mounting bar in substantiallyhorizontal position and the mounting bar with some upward incline. Thistrack continues to the sprocket 55 (Fig. 3) where the cam track movesoutwardly and then follows a curvature having the center of the sprocketshaft as a center for a substantial distance around the sprocket shaftwhere it continues on as the cam track for the lower pass. Because ofthe change of direction of the endless chain, the clamping means changesfrom a forward direction to a rearward direction and carries the sheetcarried by the clamping means adjacent to a pile of sheets on adepositing platform 146 where the sheet is released. With the camfollowers of different lengths and hence with the edges of the camtracks in different vertical planes, there will be no interferencebetween the cam followers as the respective cam tracks take over controlof the pivotal movement of the clamping mechanism and hence the clampingmeans. The cam tracks are suitably secured to the main frame 20.

Shifting means In the construction particularly illustrated herein, theclamping means is shifted to at least two positions. This shifting meansis used when the sheets are piled on a depositing platform asparticularly shown. The means provided to shift the clamping means toone side or the other of a central position in order that alternatesheets or alternate groups of sheets may be deposited on the depositingplatform in spaced or angular relation with respect to the previousgroup of sheets and in alternate relation, will be described. Preferablythe shifting means efiects a shifting, shown as an angular shifting, ofthe clamping means so that the sheets are deposited in different angularrelation on the depositing platform. Each group or set of segregatedsheets can readily be separated from the other groups. The change in theposition of the clamping means occurs in the upper level or pass of theclamping means and is between the pick-up position and depositingposition.

The shifting of the clamping means is accomplished by a vane 150 (Figs.3, 12, 13) carried by a pivot 151 pivotally mounted in a part of themain frame .20 such as a cross bar. With the vane in the position shownin solid lines in Fig. 12, the shift roller 121 carried by the clampingmeans frame engages the vane as the clamping means moves rearwardly withrespect thereto and pushes the roller and clamping means to the left.Just prior to the roller engaging the vane the clamping means frame locklever 106 is released as previously described so that the clamping meansmay be shifted after which the clamping rneans lock roller 107 rides offof its cam 115 and the locking means engages the hole 111 to lock theclamping means in the left hand position. Pivoting of the vane to theposition shown in dot-dash lines shifts the clamping means to the rightand after being shifted it is locked in shifted position by the lockinglever pin 108 entering the hole 110.

The vane .is shifted from one angular position to the other by shiftinga vane operating plate 152 secured to the pivot 151. This vane operatingplate carries a pair of spaced stop screws 153 which may be adjusted asto their position and each engages a stop abutment 154 carried by theframe crossbar. This vane operating plate carries a pair of spaced pins155 one on each side thereof. One pin 155 .is engaged by a pull member157 having a slot 158 on one side. A similar slot 159 is '9. providedfor the pin 156 on the titer side or edge thereof. A spring 160 holdsthe edge of the pull member against the pin so that the pin is receivedin the slot when the member is pulled. The pull member is connected.

with a solenoid 161 through a pull rod 162 so that energization of thesolenoid pulls the pull member to the right so that the operating pin155 enters the slot 158 and is pulled to the right. This swings the vaneoperating plate 15 to the dot-dash position which swings the shiftingvane 150 therewith. The spring 160 now pulls the other edge of the pullmember into contact with the operating .pin 156. A second operation ofthe solenoid again pulls the pull member to the right so that the pin156 is engaged in its slot 159 and presses the vane operating plate backacross dead center position and it returns to its solid line position.

Means are provided to hold the vane operating plate 152 and the vane 150in operated position which means includes a lever 166 pivotally mountedon the frame crossbar by a pivot 167 and having a spring 168 connectedbetween the end of the lever and another part which may be the crossbar.The more suitable attachment, however, is with the operating plate 152as shown. This lever is connected with the vane operating plate througha pin 169 carried by the plate and engaging in a hole 170 in the lever166 so that the lever is pivoted with the plate but in oppositedirections. When the vane operating plate is pivoted towards dash-dotline position, the lever swings upwardly to the same side of center linebetween pivots until the spring passes over to the other side of thepivot center line whereupon the spring assists in propelling the vaneplate and vane to its dotdash position and holds it and the vane in thisposition. A second operation of the solenoid reverses the operation andcarries the lever and spring to the other side of dead center or thepivot center line so that the spring both partly operates the plate andholds the plate and the vane in each of the two positions.

Control means Control means are provided to operate the shift meanswhereby the clamping means is shifted to one side or the other of centerposition on the upper pass or level of the movement of the clampingmeans between pick-up position and depositing position. Control meansare also provided to selectively open desired clamping means in thelower passage or level of the movement of the clamping means from orbetween depositing position to pick-up position. These control means areembodied in one unit which includes preferably a disk 174 (Fig. 1)driven by the machine such as a chain 175, a sprocket 176 on the drumshaft 22 and a sprocket 178 secured to a shaft 179 mounted on the mainframe so that the disk rotates at the same speed as the drum, that iseach makes one revolution in the same time. The disk has three rows ofholes 180, 181, 182 concentric with the center of the disk. There is onesuch hole in each circle of holes for each pocket of the storage drumand hence for each clamping means of the machine. This control means maybe connected with any driven part of the collating machine such as thedrive connection or the sprockets for the endless chains for theclamping means. Since, however, it is more convenient to relate it withthe pockets of the drum, it is adjacent to the drum and mounted on themain frame at the side of the means as each passes the vane. The controlpin or screw is inserted or advanced in the hole at the position inwhich the vane is to be shifted. In other words, if there are five emptyholes between succeeding operating pins or screws, then the vane isshifted for every sixth clamping means. Hence six successive clampingmeans are shifted to the same lateral position as they pass the vane.Six pages are therefore off-set at one position or angle upon thedepositing platform. The. screws in this circle close a switch 186 whichenergizes the solenoid 161 for changing the angular position of thevane. The next screw again closes the switch which again energizes thesolenoid and operation of the solenoid restores the vane to its firstangular position and the clamping means are. shifted to the otherlateral position. Each succeeding 1 control pin therefore changes theangular position of the vane.

The angular position of the vane may be shifted once for each revolutionin which event the sheets picked from all of the pockets are positionedin one position and the sheets in all of the pockets in the nextrevolution of the drum are positioned in the other position. A controlpin or screw in each hole shifts the vane for each clamping meanspassing the vane. Any other arrangement may be made such as for a fiftypocket drum, there may be five changes of ten sheets each. Likewise thecontrol means may be set for different numbers such as 6, 8, 10, 12 and14 or any other arrangement.

Selecting means The inner circle of holes 182 receives one or morecontrol pins or screws 189 (Fig. 3A) to operate a switch 190 when itpasses the same in the rotation of the control disk 174. It will berecalled that the clamping means is opened to deposit a sheet in depositposition by the cam 122 which opens each pair of the clamping fingersand they are locked in open position. This switch 190 is connected witha solenoid 191 which moves a tripper 192 carried on a shaft 193 to itssolid line position Fig. 3 for selectively engaging the lock releaselever or trigger 98 for the clamping fingers at the lower level or passof the clamping means. In this position the tripper is in position forengagement with the lock release lever for the finger locking means. Theclamping fingers, therefore, are again closed so that when the clampingmeans pass into the drum pocket they do not pick-up or clamp a sheet inthe pocket.

The tripper operating means includes a tripper plate 196 secured to theshaft 193 and connected with the solenoid 191 by a suitable connection197 pinned to the plate. Energization of the solenoid 191 pulls thetripper to the left as shown in Fig. 3A. The tripper plate has a notch1'98 and a stop 199 so that when the tripper plate is pulled to the lefta roller 200 rides over a surface 201 and is pulled into the notch by aspring 292 to releasably or resiliently retain the roller in the notch.The stop 199 is engaged by the roller so that it does not override thenotch. A second solenoid 203 is also connected to the tripper plate by apin 204 so that when energized it pulls the tripper plate and thetripper 192 to the right or to the dot-dash position of Fig. 3.

The middle circle of holes 181 receives: one or more control screws orpins 207 which when each passes a switch 208 it closes its contacts andthis energizes the solenoid 203 to swing the tripper away from the pathof travel of the release lever for the locking means for the clampingfinger as shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 3. In this position of thetripper the locking lever for each clamping means or clamping fingers isnot engaged as it passes so that the clamping fingers or clamping meansremains open. When the clamping means enters a pocket of the drum at thepick-up position, a sheet is picked up.

With this control means and tripper, the sheet in any pocket or pocketsmay be selectively picked-up or passed by the clamping means as desired.One purpose of this 11 control or rejection of sheets may be desirablefor example if one book or group of sheets includes pages 1 to 20 andthe next booklet may have the same pages from 1 to 15, excluding pages16 to 20. Obviously any desired selection or rejection of sheets fromany particular pocket or pockets may be made.

It has been stated that a control screw or pin may be inserted in anydesired hole of the control disk. It is clear that each hole may have ascrew (as shown) or pin inserted or screwed farther into the hole tobring it into contact with its respective switch or withdrawn outwardlyso that it does not contact its switch. Likewise either the control diskmay rotate and the switches be fixed, as particularly illustrated, orthe disk may be fixed and the switches or switch means rotate. It isnecessary only that the disk or the switches rotate with respect to theother.

Short drum control Means are provided, as shown in Fig. 16, to operatethe storage drum for a short portion of a rotation so that the pocketsmay be filled with sheets. By closing a switch 211, the switch is heldclosed by a latch 212 and the motor is energized to drive the machineand rotate the drum. A switch 213 is connected with a latch release coil214 so that when the switch is closed the coil is energized to releasethe latch and switch 23.1 is opened. The latch release switch 21 .3 isclosed after the drum has rotated a portion of a full revolution. Theoperator for switch 213 may be a ridge 215 carried by a collar on thesprocket shaft 57 or any other part of th machine. The first switchopens who the drum has rotated about four or live pockets whereuponrotation stops. The top pockets with their pocket clamps open then maybe filled wtih'sheets and the switch again operated to rotate the drumanother short part of a revolution.

When a sheet is clamped by the clamping means at pickup position, abuckle or bend may exist between the two spaced clamps. To straightenthe sheet a plurality of flexible blades 2E8 (Fig. 2), four being shown,are carried by a collar 219 mounted upon the sprocket shaft 57 androtating therewith. The blades press or strike the clamped edge of thesheet between the clamping arms which straightens the sheet and removesthe bend.

Any form of depositing device may be used upon which sheets aredeposited. The depositing device particularly shown is a platform ll ihaving feed means to move the platform downwardly. The downward movementis under the control of a feeder finger 222 which is periodicallybrought into contact with the top sheet of the pile on the platformthrough mechanism driven from a link 223 connected off center to acollar carried by the sprocket shaft 53. if the pile is too high, thefinger does not descend as far which trips a feed mechanism and thetable is lowered until the greater descent of the trigger fingerdisconnects the feed mechanism.

The endless means or chains have a driving connection with the motor orwith the storage means or drum such as a chain 277 with suitablesprockets. The sharper curve in the cam track 142 at the rear sprocketfiips the sheet rearwardly as the clamping means pass around thesprockct so that the sheet is laid fiat on the depositing platform.

This invention is presented to fill a need for improvements in acollating machine. It is understood that various modifications instructure, as well as changes in mode of operation, assembly, and mannerof use, may and often do occur to those skilled in the art, especiallyafter benefiting from the teachings of an invention. This disclosureillustrates the preferred means of embodying the invention in usefulform.

What is claimed is:

l. A collating machine for sheets and the like comprising a main frame,storage means carried by the main frame having a plurality of pockets ofa size to carry a plurality of sheets, mounting means mounting thestorage means for movement to bring the pockets successively to pick-upposition where a sheet is removed from a pocket, a depositing platform,a plurality of clamping mechanisms each including sheet clamping means,the sheet clamping means including a fixed arm and a pivoted fingermovable towards and away from the fixed arm to close and open theclamping means, endless means mounting the clamping mechanisms in spacedrelation and for movement from adjacent the depositing platform topick-up position adjacent the storage means and return, means to closethe clamping means at a pocket at pick-up position, means to open theclamping means at the depositing platform, and driving mechanismconnecting the storage means and the endless means to move both means.

2. A collating machine as in claim 1 in which the end less mountingmeans is a pair of spaced flexible band means, wheel means mounting eachflexible band means including a pair of wheels at depositing position, apair of upper and lower wheels spaced from each other at the pick-upposition and spaced at different distances relatively to the storagemeans to move the clamping means gradually away therefrom between thespaced wheels, andmeans mounting the wheels on the main frame.

3. A collating machine as in claim 1 in which the clamping mechanismincludes mounting means pivotally mounting the clamping means on theendless means, and means carried by the clamping mechanism and by themain frame to pivot the clamping means forwardly in their movementbetween the depositing position and the pick-up position.

4 A collating machine as in claim 1 in which the clamping means includesa clamping arm, a clamping finger pivotally mounted on the clamping armand movable to clamping and open positions, a spring connected with theclamping finger propelling the finger to closed position, means lockingthe clamping finger in open position, means to open the clamping fingerat depositing position, and means to release the locking means at pickupposition.

5. A collating machine as in claim 4 including a second release meansmovably carried by the main frame at a position following the clampingmeans opening means to release the locking means for the clampingfingers, and means to move the release means to and away from releaseposition.

6. A collating machine as in claim 5 in which the means to move therelease means includes a solenoid to move the release means to releaseposition, a solenoid to move the release means away from releaseposition, a switch to energize each solenoid, and control meansconnected with the driving mechanism to operate the switches.

7. A collating machine as in claim 1 including mounting means for theclamping means for movably mounting the clamping means for movement toat least two lateral positions, shifting means between the pick-upposition and depositing position to shift the clamping means alternatelyto each position, and means to retain the clamping means in each lateralposition.

8. A collating machine as in claim 7 including means to lock themounting means for the clamping means in each lateral position, andmeans located adjacent the shifting means for the clamping means torelease and reengage the'locking means for the mounting means for theclamping means.

9. A collating machine as in claim 7 in which the shifting meansincludes a cam follower carried by the clamping means, a pivoted vanepivotally mounted in the main frame and in the path of the cam followerupon movement of the clamping means between pick-up position anddepositing position, and means to alternately pivot the vane to and fromits two angular positions.

10. A collating machine as in claim 1 in which the clamping mechanismincludes mounting means for the clamping means for movably mounting thelatter to three positions namely a central position and a lateralposition on each side of the central position, shifting means positionedbetween the pick-up position and the depositing position to selectivelymove the clamping means to one lateral position, means bet een thedepositing position and the pick-up position to move the clamping meansto central position, and retaining means to retain the clamping means ineach position.

11. A collating machine as in claim in which the mounting means includesa pair of spaced slots, the slots being angularly directed and ofopposite angularity to angularly shift the clamping means to either sideof central position, and pins engaging in the slots.

12. A collating machine as in claim 10 in which the retaining means is alocking lever carried by the mounting means to clock the clamping meansin each position, and means to release the locking lever from lockedposition prior to lateral shifting of the clamping means and restore thelocking lever to locked position when the clamping means has beenshifted.

13. A collating machine as in claim 10 including a cam follower carriedby the clamping means, a pivoted vane pivotally mounted on the mainframe and in the path of the cam follower upon movement of the clampingmeans between pick-up position and depositing posi tion, and means toalternately pivot the vane to and from each of its two angularpositions.

14. A collating machine as in claim 10 including a cam follower carriedby the clamping means, a pair of spaced angular cams carried by the mainframe and located to be engaged by the cam follower on movement of theclamping means from depositing position to pickup position.

15. A collating machine as in claim 10 in which the shifting means toselectively move the clamping means to lateral position includes a camfollower carried by the clamping means, a pivoted vane mounted on theframe in the path of the cam follower, an operating plate secured to thepivoted vane and having a pair of spaced stops, fixed stop means engagedby the spaced stops, spring means connected with the operating plate tohold a spaced stop on the plate against the fixed stop means, and meansto move the operating plate from one stop position to the other.

16. A collating machine as in claim 15 in which the means to move theoperating plate from one position to the other is a solenoid, and switchmeans operated by the driving mechanism to energize the solenoid.

17. A collating machine as in claim 15 including a pair of spaced platepins carried by the operating plate, a pull rod having a pair of spacednotches spaced apart less than the spacing of the spaced plate pins andmounted for lateral movement, and meansto laterally retain the pull rodwith a notch in alignment with one of the plate pins.

18. A collating machine as in claim 1 including mounting means to pivotthe clamping mechanism in its movement from depositing position topick-up position from a rearwardly extending position to a forwardlyextending position comprising a cam track adjacent the path of movementof the clamping mechanism, and means carriedkby the clamping mechanismengaging in the cam trac 19. A collating machine as in claim 18including a pair of spaced brackets carried by the endless means foreach mounting means, a shaft extending from each end of the mountingmeans and pivotally mounted in a bracket, a cam follower plate securedto a shaft, a pair of cam followers carried by the cam follower platespaced from each other and from the shaft, a first and second cam tracksbetween depositing position and pick-up position each receiving one ofthe cam followers to swing the mounting means and clamping means fromrearwardly extending position to forwardly extending position.

20. A collating machine as in claim 19 including wheel means at thestorage means, and a pair of spaced wheel means at the depositingplatform to mount the endless means, in which the first cam trackextends from. the wheel means at the pick-up position, around the shaftfor the wheel means at deposit position and continuing around the shaftfor the lower wheel means at pick-up position, and a third cam track forthe other cam follower at pick-up position beginning and ending adjacentthe ends of the first cam track to retain the clamping means ingenerally horizontal position.

21. A collating machine as in claim 1 including pocket clamping means ineach pocket, and means operable at pick-up position to open the clampingmeans.

22. A collating mechine as in claim 1 in which the storage means is adrum, means mounting the drum for rotation with its periphery adjacentthe movement of the clamping mechanism, normally closed pocket clampingmeans in each pocket, and a cam carried by the main frame adjacent tothe drum to open the pocket clamping means at pick-up position.

23. A collating machine comprising a main frame, storage means carriedby the main frame having a plurality of pockets, mounting means mountingthe storage means for movement to bring the pockets successively topick-up position where a sheet is removed from a pocket, a depositingplatform; an endless means mounted for movement from adjacent thedepositing platform to pickup position adjacent the storage means andreturn; a plurality of clamping mechanisms carried in spaced relation onthe endless means each including sheet clamping means, and mountingmeans pivotally mounting the clamping mechanism, means to close theclamping means at pick-up position, means to open the clamping means atthe depositing platform, pivoting means between the depositing platformand the pick-up position to pivot the clamping mechanism from rearwardlyextending to forwardty extending position, means at the storage means toretain the clamping means in generally horizontal position for engagingthe top sheet in its pocket, and driving mechanism connecting thestorage means and the endless means.

24. A collating machine as in claim 23 including pivot means pivotallysupporting the clamping means on the mounting means, a lever connectedwith the clamping means and having a track follower, and a tilt trackcarried by the main frame extending from adjacent the pick up positionto the opening means for the clamping means and engaged by the trackfollower to tilt the clamping means on the mounting means.

25. A collating machine comprising a main frame, storage means carriedby the main frame having a plurality of pockets and movable to bring thepockets successively to pick-up position, a depositing platform; endlessmeans mounted for movement from adjacent the depositing platform topick-up position and return; a plurality of clamping mechanisms carriedby the endless means in spaced relation each including sheet clampingmeans, a spring to close the clamping means, means locking the clampingmeans in open position, and mounting means pivotally mounting theclamping mechanism; release means at pick-up position engaging thelocking means to release the same and close the clamping means, means toopen the clamping means at the depositing platform, pivoting meansbetween the depositing platform and the pick-up position to pivot theclamping mechanism from rearwardly extending to forwardly extendingposition, movable release means located adjacent the next aforesaidmeans to engage the locking means for the clamping means to release thesame, means to move the movable release means to and from releasingposition, means at the storage means to retain the clamping means ingenerallyhorizontal position for engaging the top sheet in its pocket,and driving mechanism connecting the storage means and'the endlessmeans.

26. A collating machine as in claim 25 in which the means to move themovable release means includes a solenoid connected with the movablerelease means to 15 move the latter to releasing position, a secondsolenoid connected with this removable release means to move the latteraway from releasing position, a switch connected with each solenoid, andcontrol means driven by the drive mechanism to operate the switches.

27. A collating machine as in claim 26 in which the control meansincludes a plate having a first series of switch contactor receivingmeans providing a switch contact receiving means for each clamping meansand a second series of contactor receiving means providing a contactorreceiving means for each clamping means, and at least one switchcontactor for each series of contactor receiving means.

28. A collating machine as in claim 25 including pivot means pivotallysupporting the clamping means on the mounting means, a lever having atrack follower connected with the clamping means, and a tilt trackcarried by the main frame and adjacent the movement of the clampingmeans and extending from adjacent the pickup position to the openingmeans for the clamping means and engaged by the track follower to tiltthe clamping means on the mounting means and to hold the clamping means.

29. A collating machine comprising a main frame, storage means carriedby the main frame having a plurality of pockets and movable to bring thepockets successively to pick-up position, a depositing platform, endlessmeans extending between the storage means and the depositing platformand return, a plurality of spaced brackets, means carried by the endlessmeans, a clamping mechanism mounted in each bracket means each including sheet clamping means, means to close the clamping means at apocket at pick-up position of the storage means, means to open theclamping means at the depositing platform, mounting means for eachclamping mechanism pivotally mounting the latter in the bracket meansincluding a shaft extending from each end of the mounting means andpivotally mounted in the bracket means, means to pivot the clampingmechanism from rearwardly extending to forwardly extending positionincluding a cam follower plate secured to a shaft, a pair of camfollowers carried by the cam follower plate spaced from each other andfrom the shaft, a first cam track between depositing position andpick-up position and receiving one of the cam followers, a gap in thefirst cam track, a second cam track spaced from the first and extendingon each side of the gap and receiving the other cam follower, anddriving mechanism operatively connecting the storage means and theendless means.

30. A collating machine as in claim 29 including an upwardly extendingabutment at the end of the gap of the first cam track.

31. A collating machine as in claim 29 including means pivotallymounting the clamping means on the mounting means, a tilt track followercarried by the clamping means, and a tilt track extending from adjacentthe storage means to the gap in the first track and engaged by the tilttrack follower.

32. A collating machine as in claim 29 including means mounting theclamping means on the mounting means for lateral movement thereon to atleast two lateral positions, means to retain the clamping means inlateral position, and shaft means between the storage means and thedepositing platform to shift the clamp ing means alternately to eachlateral position.

33. A collating machine as in claim 32 including control means connectedwith the shift means to selectively operate the latter.

34. A collating machine as in claim 32 in which the retaining means is ashift means lock, and means at the shift means to release and restorethe shift lock means before and after respectively of the shifting ofthe clamping means.

35. A collating machine as in claim 29 including means mounting theclamping means on the mounting means for movement thereon from a centralposition to one of two lateral positions each side of central position,centering means between the depositing platform and the storage means torestore the clamping means to central position, means to retain theclamping means in each position, and means between the storage means andthe depositing platform to shift the clamping means alternately to eachlateral position.

36. A collating machine as in claim 35 including control means connectedwith the shift means to selectively operate the latter.

37. A collating machine as in claim 35 in which the retaining means is ashift locking means, means at the shift means to release and restore theshift locking means before and after shifting of the clamping means, andmeans at the centering means to release and restore the shift lockingmeans before and after respectively of the centering of the clampingmeans.

38. A collating machine for sheets and the like comprising a main frame,storage means carried by the main frame having a plurality of pockets,mounting means mounting the storage means for movement to bring thepockets successively to pick-up position where a sheet is removed from apocket, a depositing platform spaced from the storage means, a pluralityof clamping mechanisms each including sheet clamping means, endlessmeans mounting the clamping mechanisms in spaced relation and formovement from adjacent the depositing platform to pick-up positionadjacent the storage means and return, means to close the clamping meansat a pocket at pick-up position, opening means to open the clampingmeans at the depositing platform, mounting means for one of the partsincluding the sheet clamping means and the oepning means mounting thepart for movement to and from one of two positions, and means to shiftthe two position part to and from each of its positions to deposit aseries of one or more sheets alternately in relatively spaced overlyingrelation on the depositing platform.

39. A collating machine for sheets and the like comprising a main frame,storage means having a plurality of pockets, mounting means mounting thestorage means onthe frame for movement to bring the pockets successivelyto pick-up position where a sheet is removed from a pocket, a depositingplatform spaced from the storage means, endless means mounted on themain frame for movement from adjacent the depositing platform to pick-upposition adjacent the storage means and return, a plurality of clampingmechanisms carried in spaced relation on the endless means and eachincluding sheet clamping means which open and close and mounting meansmounting its clamping means on the endless means, means to close theclamping means at a pocket at pick-up position, mechanism to depositsheets in position on the depositing platform including opening means toopen the clamping means at the depositing platform and abutment meansengaging an edge of the sheets, mounting means carried by the frame tomount the opening means, one of said mounting means mounting its meansfor movement to and from one of two positions, means to retain the twoposition part in each of its two positions and means connected with saidtwo position means to shift the same to and from each position todeposit a series of one or more sheets alternately in relatively spacedoverlying relation on the depositing platform.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNIT ED STATES PATENTS565,146 Smyth Aug. 4, 1896 1,706,340 Young Mar. 19, 1929 2,536,356 DagerJan. 2, 1951 21,040 Rinehart Dec. 9, 1952 26,074 Vogt Jan. 20, 1953 it E

